Duncan research files of
Mary Ann (Duncan) Dobson
the Genealogy Bug
Last revised May 26, 2009
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Duncan research files of |
1830 Montgomery Co. TN Census
No Duncan indexed
1840 Montgomery Co. TN Census Pg.282 Mark (Mash) B. Duncan 0303,0000,1 - 1020,0001 284 John S. Duncan 2000,1 - 0000,1
1850 Montgomery Co. TN Census (and from Roy Hall 2/1989)
Page numbers without parens are stamped page numbers, within parens are handwritten numbers
Pg.155 (310), #311, D.H. DUNCAN (m) 29 TN farmer $400
Joanna 70 VA
Elijah 18, Elisha 18 TN
Hesekiah 15, Malissa 13 TN
(MAD: David H. Duncan and Mark P. Duncan family)
Pg.159 (317), #363, E.C. DYCUS (m) 29 KY physician $0
Atalanta 26 VA
Frances J. 8/12 TN
T.D. PORTER (m) 32 KY druggist
F.A. DYCUS (m) 26 KY student
W.K. CUMMINS (m) 30 SC merchant
Pg.231 (461), #1429 E.C. DYCUS (m) 30 KY physician $0
Atalanta G. 25 VA
David T. PORTER 22 TN druggist $650
Francis A. (m) DYCUS 27 KY (blank)
Francesca (f) 7/12 TN
(MAD: E.C. Dycas mar. Atalantus G. Duncan 5/1/1849)
Pg.245 (489), #1639, Ann DUNCAN 64 NC (blank) $300 can't read/write
Daniel H. 30 TN
Litchel (m) 18, Litchee (m) 18 TN
Cye 16, Malissa 14 TN
Dists. 1, 2, 3&4
Pg.267 (534), #302, J. KENDRICK (m) 27 NC farmer $2800
Nancy 45 NC
(MAD: Dennis L. Kendrick mar. Nancy H. Duncan, 10/13/1819 Granville Co. NC)
Pg.271 (542), #366, Richard DUNCAN 30 TN farmer $200
Nancy 26 TN
Tennessee (f) 2 TN
(MAD: 1870 Hamilton Co. IL census)
1860 Montgomery Co. TN Census
Dist. N.&E. Cumberland River
Pg.339 (24), #172, Thomas DUNCAN 21 TN farmer $0-$230 m/in/yr
Mary 23 TN mar/in/year
Maud 14 TN
Pg.340 (25), #185, H. DUNCAN (m) 26 TN clerk $700-$400
L.A. (f) 27 VA
S.A. (f) 10/12 TN
W.C. HATSELL (m) 8 AR
Stephen 5 TN
(MAD: Hezekiah Duncan)
Pg.340 (25), #191, D.H. DUNCAN (m) 40 TN farmer $19320-$11070
M.J. (f) 38 TN
John 8 TN
(MAD: Daniel H. Duncan)
Pg.340 (25), #192, Elijah DUNCAN 30 TN farmer $800-$370
Eliza 25 TN
Ann 6, William 4 TN
Pg.340 (25), #196, Elisha DUNCAN 27 TN farmer $600-$300
Lavina 14 TN
Franklin 1 TN
S. ROWLAND 56 TN laborer $0-$0
Pg.348 (41), #309, R.J. DUNCAN (m) 37 TN farmer $2500-2100
Nancy 38 TN
Tenn. (f) 11, H.H. 6 (m) TN
Hercules 4, William 3 TN
(MAD: Richard J. Duncan)
Pg.358 (9), #59, Wm. WARE 50 NY waggoning $0-$20,000
Apphia (f) 34 KY
Mildred 18 IL
A.A. (f) 16 MA? (ME?)
Saml. 15, Mary 12 ME
Agness 4 KY
J.B. DUNCAN (m) 63 VA Baptist Minister
Bettie CLARK (f) 12 TN
(MAD: John B. Duncan, 1850 Lauderdale Co. TN census)
Pg.358, #??, J.D. DUNCAN 21 (m) indexed by Sistler pg.358, not found.
Pg.365 (23), #145, W.D. RARICK (m) 32 OH bootmaker $0-$0
Mary 22 IL
Libbie (f) 2 IA?
Geo. BAKER 7 KY apprentice
J.H. DUNCAN (m) 38 TN bootmaker $0-$0
Isabella 22 KY
Eliza 16, Alex 14 TN
Tennessee (f) 12, A.C. (f) 6 TN
Thos. M.F. 4 TN
(MAD: one James H. Duncan mar. Isabella D?. Botkins 3/16/1843 Cannon Co. TN but Isabella's age plainly 22 here; see 1850 Rutherford Co. TN census)
1870 Montgomery Co. TN Census
District 3, P.O. Clarksville
Pg.207, #2-2, WILSON, Jns. (m) 36 TN white farmer $6000-$1500
Martha 39 TN keeping house
Josephine (f) 16, Tillian (m) 9 TN
Pg.207, #2-3, DUNCAN, S. (m) 25 TN BLACK farm hand
Millie 25 TN BLACK keeping house
Charles 11, Lewis 7 TN BLACK
District 4, P.O. Clarksville
Pg.234-235, #178-178, DUNCAN, T.J. (m) 30 TN (white) minister $5000-$200
Mary 32 TN keeping house
Irene 9 TN
Hiram 8, Starkey (m) 6 TN
B. ("f") 3, C. (f) 1 TN
DUNCAN, Jno. 18 TN (white) (blank)
EDWARDS, D. (f) 69 VA BLACK cook
(MAD: 1880 Maury Co. TN census; Starkey Duncan in 1900 Davidson Co. TN)
District 5, P.O. Port Royal
Pg.244, #24-24, NOEL, Bob 59 VA BLACK domestic servant $0-$0
Jane 35 TN BLACK keeping house
Bob 1 TN BLACK at home
DUNCAN, Solomon 8 TN BLACK attends school
Pg.254, #166-170, ROSSEN, Lucy 49 KY (white) keeping house $0-$500
George P. 25 TN farmer $0-$500
John T. 19 TN works on farm $0-$100
Ann C. 15 TN attends school
DUNCAN, James H. 45 TN (white) "no occupation"
District 7, P.O. Clarksville
Pg.278, #48-55, DUNCAN, Ann 36 VA BLACK keeping house $0-$0
T. (f) 16 TN BLACK at home
Semantha (f) 8 TN BLACK at home
Retta (f) 1 TN BLACK
Pg.283, #107-124, DUNCAN, Jno. 52 SCT (white) painter $1500-$600, parents of foreign birth
Mary 39 TN keeping house
Jane 7, William 4 TN father of foreign birth
District 8, P.O. Clarksville
Pg.293, #44-47, DUNCAN, J.T. (m) 54 TN (white) sawyer $0-$400
Nancy 24 TN keeping house
Mary 16 TN (blank) (age as given)
District 9, P.O. Clarksville
Pg.311, #74-74, DUNCAN, H. (m) 36 TN (white) farmer $0-$1000
Lucy 39 VA keeps house $800-$0
Sam 10, Annie 8 TN
Mark (m) 6, Hervey (m) 3 TN
Edna 7/12 TN b.Nov.
HATRELL, Chas. 19 AR (white) farm hand
Stephen 15 AR farm hand
DUNCAN, M. (f) 43 TN (white) at home
Jas. (m) 24 TN clk in store
District 12 of Clarksville
Pg.371, #557-593, DUNCAN, John 40 KY BLACK laborer $0-$100
Eliza 22 TN MULATTO Kg. house
Willie (m) 8 TN BLACK
SMITH, Pat (m) 22 KY BLACK
District 12, P.O. Clarksville
Pg.412, #1073-1132, HAGERSNEUR?, G. 30 VA (white) Proff $2500-$1500
Susan 27 VA keeping house
DUNCAN, H. (f) 45 TN MULATTO cook
Arthur 50 TN BLACK laborer
Joe 13, Betsie 9 TN BLACK at home
SHERER, Danl. 47 TN (white) "none"
District 19, P.O. Corbandale
Pg.484, #125-125, DINKINS, Lewis 30 TN BLACK farmer $170-$200
Betsy 36 TN BLACK keeping house
Moses 6, Lewis 6 TN BLACK
Sarah 3, Charles 2 TN BLACK
MURPHY, Henderson 18 TN (m) BLACK farm hand
Montgomery Co. TN Wills, Inventories, Settlements
Books A, B, C - no Duncan (FHL film 321,044)
Books D, E - no Duncan (FHL film 321,045)
Books I, J - no Duncan (FHL film 321,046)
Montgomery Co. TN Deed Indexes (FHL film 320,851 and some from Louis Boone 8/1989)
(LB: previous listed deeds not entered here, stopped 1870)
A-56: Martin Duncan from Bazel Boren
A-335: Martin Duncan from George Bell
A-392: William Duncan from F. Johnson
B-52: Martin Duncan to Andrew Irwine?
M-543: Elizabeth Duncan from Wm. Hawkins
R-397: John F\T. Duncan to Wm. Overton, trustee
T-440: Daniel Duncan from Felon Parker, trustee
Y-28: Daniel Duncan to J. Clarkey?
Y-682: Daniel Duncan from Soloman Weatherford
Z-709: D.H. Duncan from Thomas Davis
Z-724: D.H. Duncan to James Harris
Z-771: Richard J. Duncan from Layfette Munister?
1-200: Richard J. Duncan from D.H. Duncan
1-593: Daniel Duncan from Bingham Fries
2-210: D.H. Duncan to R.I. Duncan
2-425: Richard J. Duncan from John W. Shelby
2-533: D.H. Duncan to John Watwood?
3-430: R.J. Duncan to John W. Shelton
4-229: D.H. Duncan to R.J. Duncan
4-277: Richard J. Duncan from D.H. Duncan
4-628: Daniel H. Duncan from T.L. Adams
4-650: D.H. Duncan and wife E. to Joseph Reynolds
4-760: D.H. Duncan and L. Cooper to Vincent Ferrell
4-762: R.J. Duncan from W.E. Newell
5-159: Elijah Duncan from W.E. Lewis, 1857-59
5-528: R.J. Duncan to James Smith
5-689: Daniel H. Duncan to Joseph Prater?
6-144: Daniel H. Duncan to John Fox, 1858-59
6-297: Daniel H. Duncan to John Shelby
6-300: Daniel H. Duncan to R.A. Taylor
6-305: W.B. Duncan from T.W. Wisdom
6-410: Daniel H. Duncan to John M. Nibbets
6-556: Daniel H. Duncan to Henry Hudson
7-37: Daniel H. Duncan to H. Duncan, 1859-61
8-75: D.H. Duncan to Elizabeth Pound?, 1861-62
8-378/9: D.H. Duncan and D.H. Duncan to James Halgood
9-712: John Duncan from John Smith, Others, 1865-66
??: D.H. Duncan and Thomas C? Duncan to D.H. Duncan (MAD: book 9-11?)
10-299: Miss Mary E. Duncan from Lew? H. Johnson, 1866-67
12-156: E. and H. Duncan to F. Crowder, 1869-70
12-174: H.D. Duncan to H.C. Shelton
12-181/2: D.H. Duncan to Wm. Griffy?
12-297/8: Miss Lucy A. Duncan from Mary C. & John J. Suyden?
12-307: Lucy A. Duncan to H.P.? Duncan
12-535: James Duncan? to R.H. Walker
(LB: skipped some Daniel H. Duncan and D.H. Duncan deeds that appeared to be repeated)
Montgomery Co. TN Deeds
A-56: 18 June 1791, Bazel Boran of Tennessee Co., Ter. South of River Ohio, to Martin Duncan, £100, 120 acres on Sulphur Fork of the Red? (Nix?) River, part of 360 acre NC grant #12 to Adam Hampton 8 Oct. 1787. No wit. (name of river looked like it ended with an "x" instead of a "d", first letter could have been a sloppy "N" or "R") (FHL film 320,857)
A-335: 27 Jan. 1795, George Bell of Tennessee Co., Ter. South of River Ohio, to Martin Duncan of same, £100, 150 acres on N. fork of Red River east of Evan Shelby's claim, incl. a spring near the head of a branch. No wit. (FHL film 320,857)
A-392: 8 May 1794, Thomas Johnson of Tennessee Co., Ter. South of River Ohio, to William Duncan of same, $100, 100 acres at the head of Phillips pond, corner of Johnson's tract, part of 640 acre grant #2314 to said Thomas Johnson 20 May 1793. No wit. (FHL film 320,857)
B-52: 22 July 1797, Thomas Duncan (sic) of Robertson Co. TN to Andrew Irvin of same, £100, 150 acres on N. side of Red River, east of Evan Shelby's. /s/ Martin Duncan. (FHL film 320,857)
M-543: 12 June 1832, William S. Hawkins of town of Clarksville, TN, for esteem and regard for Eliza Duncan of same, daughter of James Duncan, and $1, yoke of work oxen and yoke. Wit. Charles Bailey, John W. Prouty. (FHL film 320,861)
R-397: 24 Feb. 1840, John T/F. Duncan of Montgomery Co. trust deed to William Overton, horse, cattle, etc. Duncan owes Michael Tyon/Tyre $30 by note 1 Jan. 1841, security Young Roberts. (FHL film 320,863)
T-440: 4 March 1834, Felon Parker to Daniel Duncan, trust deed, personal property; Parker owes Michael Fyer/Tyer $238. (FHL film 320,865)
Y-28: 25 May 1847, Daniel Duncan trust deed to Jonathan Stackey, 100 acres in Dist. 8 on Wm. Frazier's line, and personal property; Duncan owes Noah McGregor $200 on 25 Dec. 1841? and another note. No wit. (FHL film 320,866)
Y-682: 16 Dec. 1848, Solomon Wetherford to Daniel Duncan, $250, all my claim (to) estate of my father, negro man Paul about 23, negro woman Mary about 24, and 3 children from 1 to 5 years. Wit. W.E. Newell, Asa W. Edward. (FHL film 320,866)
Z-709: 14 Jan. 1851, Thomas Davis of Christian Co. KY to D.H. Duncan of Montgomery Co. TN, $50, 5 acres on Blooming Grove Creek that I purchased of Henry Coalman. (FHL film 320,867)
Z-724: 21 Jan. 1851, D.H. Duncan to James Harris, $55, above land. (FHL film 320,967)
1-593: 11 Nov. 1852, Bingham Trice to Daniel Ducan (sic), $166, 100 acres in Dist. 8, land purchased of William Frazier by Marck P. Duncan in his lifetime. Wit. Peter Oneal, B.B. Hackney. (FHL film 320,868)
2-210: 30 May 1850, D.H. Duncan to Richard J. Duncan, $95, 95 acres in Dist. 4 on Brushey Fork of Piney Fork of West Fork of Red River, on Newell's corner, Smith's corner, Power's corner. Wit. B.R. Dye, Eligay Duncan. (FHL film 320,868)
3-429: 22 Nov. 1853, John W. Shelby to R.J. Duncan, $425, slave woman "Tempy." (FHL film 320,869)
3-430: 22 Nov. 1853, Richard J. Duncan to John W. Shelton, both Montgomery Co. TN, $300, 50 acres in Dist.4 adj. Wm. E. Newells corner, bank of a branch; wit. Elijah (X) Duncan, Young (X) Babee. (FHL film 320,869)
MAD: Richard Duncan had a KY land grant "south of Walker's line" of 15-1/4 acres, recorded book 6, pg.434, 1-29-1855, in Montgomery Co. on the Elk Fork, indexed on pg.909 in "The KY Land Grants" by Willard R. Jillson, 1925.
MAD: David H. Duncan had a KY land grant "south of Walker's line" of 400 acres, recorded Book 7, pg.121, 12-12-1856, in Montgomery Co. on the Blooming Grove Creek, indexed on pg.909 in "The KY Land Grants" by Willard R. Jillson, 1925.
4-279: 5 Jan. 1856, D.H. Duncan to Richard J. Duncan, $150, 50 acres by survey in Dist. 4 adj. Gray's corner, Ferle's line, Ramsey's corner and line. (FHL film 320,869)
4-650: 24 June 1856, D.H. Duncan and wife Margaret J. Duncan formerly Margaret Calder formerly Margaret Langston, to Joseph Reynolds, $218, 2 lots of 1 acre each deeded from William Langston to Margaret Colder now Duncan 7 Sept. 1846 W-635. No wit. (FHL film 320,869)
4-759: 26 Oct. 1855, Samson Hart to Levi Cooper and D.H. Duncan jointly, $500, 150 acres in Dist. 9 (desc. not copied). Wit. Hesekiah Duncan, Elisha Duncan. (FHL film 320,869)
4-760: 7 Oct. 1856, Daniel H. Duncan and Levi Cooper to Vincent Ferrell, $750, land (deed 4-759). No wit. (FHL film 320,869)
Go to the Montgomery Co. TN Court Records
Stewart Co. TN Deed (FHL film 554,334; from Estelle Horn to Tamra Duncan to MAD)
18-183: 13 July 1853, Jesse Smith to D.H. Duncan of Montgomery Co., $489 paid as follows: $140 in good trade balance cash, land in Stewart Co. #1, 163-1/4 acres, Hobart Wilson east boundary. Wit. J. Roberts, John T. Duncan.
1886 "History of Montgomery, Robertson, Humphreys, Stewart, Dickson, Cheatham, Houston Cos. TN" by Goodspeed (FHL book 976.8 H2ha Vol.7; and from Evelyn Sigler 12/1983)
Montgomery Co.: No Duncan biographical sketch.
Pg.751: Capt. DeMonBreum, native of France, here as early as 1775. In 1777 found party of seven pioneers at Deacon's Ford near Palmyra. William Brown of party had been run over by herd of buffaloes and died. Others in DeMonBreum's party were James Ferguson and John Duncan.
Pg.797: Spring Creek Church organized July, 1831. Rev. Mr. Duncan was 4th preacher, served until Civil War started.
Pg.1063, Montgomery Co.: J.D. Kendrick, an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of the 4th Dist., is the son of Dennis L. and Nancy H. (Duncan) Kendrick. D.L. Kendrick was a native of [Granville Co.] NC and died there. Mrs. Kendrick immigrated to TN in 1826, and settled in the 4th Dist., where she died Dec. 3, 1868, and where her body was laid to rest in the Kendrick burying-ground. She was the mother of 3 children: Lucy A., J.H. and J.D. J.H. Kendrick died in 1885 and was buried beside his mother. J.D. Kendrick was born January 17, 1822, in NC and came to TN with his mother. In the year 1864 he was married to Miss Frances J. Johnson, who was a native of NC. ...
Pg.1106, Montgomery Co.: W.D. Taylor is the son of W.H. and Lucinda (Duncan) Taylor, and was born April 19, 1835, in [Lincoln Co.] KY. W.H. Taylor was a native of KY, and in early life was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Duncan, also of KY. To them were born 9 children, five of whom are living, viz.: Nancy M., John, W.D., Josephine and Lou. W.H. Taylor, the father of our subject, died in Missouri while starting to cross the plains. Mrs. Taylor also died in Missouri in the year 1862. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was reared on the farm ... in 1865 he married Miss Jennie Mallory, of this State, daughter of Rev. S.S. Mallory, ... During the late civil war he enlisted in the 34th MO Reg. ... then into an infantry regiment under Col. Clark, and was with this regiment until 1865, when he came to this State and married his present wife. ....
1885-1888 "KY, a History of the State" 1st? Edition 1885; 9 Editions (volumes), by Perrin, Battle & Kniffin (FHL book 976.9 D3wt)
Pg.223-4, Marshall Co. ELIJAH C. DYCUS, MD, now among the pioneers of Marshall Co., is a son of John and Nancy (Isaacs) Dycus; both parents natives of KY, both born in 1797. They removed to Edmonson Co. to the Purchase in 1830, and that year settled near the village of Briensburg, Marshall Co. John Dycus was a farmer and civil officer, and died when about 47 years old. His widow survived him many years, and died in 1877. Dr. E.C. Dycus is the 3rd child of a family of 11 born to these parents. He was born in 1820 in Hart Co. KY, and was age 10 when the father came to Marshall Co., then Calloway. ... Dr. Dycus began his practice in 1846 ... Dr. Dycus was married in New Providence [Montgomery Co.], TN, in 1849, to Miss Atlanta G. Duncan, dau. of James W. and Ann Duncan, of (MAD: Accomack Co.) VA. They have a family of seven children: Francesca J., John W., Ella C., Ann Eliza, Emmett C., Emma G. and Mary A. Dycus. ...
1884 "Historical and Biographical Record of Todd Co. KY" by J.H. Battle (Los Angeles Public Library book 976.91 T636Ba)
Pg.244-245, Kirkmansville Precinct: JAMES D. DUNCAN, tobacco merchant, was born in 1845, in Montgomery Co. TN. His parents were D.H. and Mary L. (Brake) Duncan, natives of Tennessee. The father was a tobacco merchant, a member of the Christian Church and of the Masonic order. The mother's death occurred in December, 1873, at the age of fifty-four years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Duncan began business for himself at the age of twenty-five years. Previously he had been interested with his father; he has been a resident of this county since 1871; ... He was married in 1874 to Miss Susan E. Boyd, daughter of Edmond and Elizabeth (Mitchel) Boyd, of Christian Co. KY. Louis, Forrest, Florence and Mallie are their children. Mrs. Duncan was first married to Richard Boyd, of Christian County; his death occurred February 19, 1871. Wallace, Lulu and Henry were their children.
1911 "Historical Review of AR" by Fay Hempstead, 3 vol. (SUTRO book F411 H485, CA State Library, Sutro Branch; and from Evelyn Sigler)
Vol.3 p.1321-2: WILLIAM H. DUNCAN ... citizen of Harrisburg ... head of the firm of W.H. Duncan & Co ... one of foremost merchants of this part of Poinsett Co. A son of John Duncan, he was born July 4, 1868, in TN, near Clarksville [Montgomery Co.], of Scotch Ancestry. His grandfather, William Duncan, was born and bred in Scotland, there learned the trade of carpet making. He subsequently moved to Sheffield, England, and there spent the closing years of his life. He reared five children, as follows: Robert, who died in Nashville, [Davidson Co.] TN; William passed away in Sheffield, England; James, deceased, was for many years connected with the White Line of steamships plying between Liverpool and New York; John, the father of William H.; and Sarah, who married W.F. Allison, and lived in Quincy, Massachusetts.
John Duncan was born in 1818, near Glasgow, Scotland. In 1838, as a sailor lad, he came to the United States on a sailing vessel, being four months without seeing land. The vessel drifted down to the West Indies, and near Santiago, Cuba, was picked up by another vessel and directed to New Orleans, where its passengers were finally landed. Leaving the other passengers in that city, or many of them, John Duncan took a boat for Nashville [Davidson Co.], arriving there at about the same time as did the Quapaw Indians, who were being transferred to their new home in the West. He continued northward to St. Louis, but soon returned to TN and visited Nashville, then a town of four hundred inhabitants, but finally located at Clarksville, TN. In 1880 he moved with his family to Little Rock AR ... spent his last days in Harrisburg, AR, passing away in 1902. He married Mary E. Johnson, who was born in TN, a dau of Len Johnson, a Virginian by birth and the descendant of a prominent Colonial family of the U.S. She died at Little Rock, AR in 1884, leaving two children, namely: Jennie, wife of M.D. Simmons, a leading druggist of Harrisburg; and William H., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned.
Accompanying his parents on their journey from Clarksville, TN, to Little Rock, AR, William H. Duncan, then a lad of 12 years; to Harrisburg, AR, in 1884; after his marriage Mr. Duncan entered into business with his father-in-law & for 12 years was member of mercantile firm of T.A. Stone & Co.; subsequently founded business W.H. Duncan & Co. On Nov. 15, 1893, Mr. Duncan married Minnie Stone, a dau. of T.A. Stone, one of the early pioneers of Poinsett Co. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. & Mrs. Duncan, namely: Lorens, Lura, Lucy, Thomas and Robert. William H. Duncan's father was a courier during the Civil War for the Confederacy. William H. is an uncompromising Democrat ... a Mason ... Methodist Episcopal church, South.
"CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE" Volume 65, No. 16, Nashville, TN, April 21, 1904 [General Organ of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South] (from Kathy D. Cawley 3/2006; see also Limestone Co. TX)
Rev. T.J. Duncan was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., May 27, 1839; was converted and joined the Church in August 1862; was licensed to preach in 1864; entered the traveling connection in the fall of 1866; and died January 27, 1904. His several appointments were as follows: In the Tennessee Conference, Dover, 1866-67; Lineport, 1867-69; Montgomery, 1869-70; Cedar Hill, 1870-74; New Providence and Bethel, 1874-77; Oliver and Pleasant Valley, 1877-78; Pulaski, 1878-79; Columbia, 1879-83; Columbia District, 1883-87; Shelbyville District, 1887-90; North High Street, Nashville, 1890-91; and Columbia Station, 1892-93. In the Los Angeles Conference, presiding elder of the Los Angeles District three years. In the Northwest Texas Conference, Taylor, two years; Mexia, two years, and in Ennis he had entered his fourth year when called from labor to reward. He represented the Tennessee Conference at Richmond, Va., in 1886, and in St. Louis in 1890. These simple figures and facts tell the story of an earnest, consecrated life and give to us its scope and activities. But facts and figures cannot impart to us the delicate character and the exquisite personality of Thomas Jefferson Duncan. To understand him thus was to come into touch with his presence and to feel the generous impulses of his great heart and his noble spirit. In person he was slightly above medium size, inclined to be fleshy, with a splendid head, a twinkling eye, and an amiable face, wonderfully expressive of his thoughts and feelings. As a man he had the courage of a lion and the gentleness of a woman; as a Christian he had a genuine experience, rooted in convictions as deep as his nature and as broad as his manhood, and his integrity had within it the solidarity of granite; as a preacher he was tender, original, importunate, interspersed now and then with a genuine flash of humor, and deeply spiritual; and as a friend and brother he was warm, confiding, unselfish, and abiding. He hated sin with an intense hatred, but he loved all mankind. He never took halfway positions on any subject, but went his whole length after having made up his mind that a given course of conduct was right and proper. You always knew where to find him when the truth as he understood it was up for discussion. And he knew how to differ from the brethren without carrying that difference into personal grievance and misunderstanding. He entertained no malice and never allowed the sun to go down upon his anger. Good natured, genial, witty, well informed, affectionate, he was ready to give and take and remain your brother still. In his home, in the private circle, and out in the great world, he exerted an influence as sweet as the music of song and as fragrant as the perfume of flowers. There was nothing gloomy in his religion or depressing in his spirit; on the contrary his face was always an expression of jubilant triumph in his voice and countenance. His whole nature bubbled over with kindness and his manner and words scattered sunshine all around him. He was always in love with God and mankind. He attracted to him the old and the young and little children flocked about him in the exuberance of childish glee. He was an eminently wise man. There was no foolishness in his character, and in all his relations his one object was to glorify his Master and bring people to a knowledge of the truth. He did his work in the pastorate and in the pulpit eminently well. He knew when to speak and what to say. His sermons were the essence of the gospel. They convicted sinners, strengthened believers, and comforted saints. In the inner circles of grief and sorrow he was wonderfully gifted with the power to soothe the wounded spirit and to solace the broken-hearted. The tenderness of his nature went out to the distressed and the bereaved. But as a husband and a father his devotion and love knew no bounds. In that inner sacred circle where the outside world did not gaze he was well nigh worshipped. The wealth of his heart exhausted its munificent resources upon those who stood related to him as wife and children. How they loved him and how he loved them! I have never seen more display of genuine affection than this man manifested in his domestic circle. To come within its sphere and enjoy its warmth, as I have done, is a benediction. Therefore, such a life as the one lived by Brother Duncan is worthy of our emulation. He lived, he wrought, and he died well. Behind him there is no darkness, and around his grave is the light of an inextinguishable hope. We shall meet him again under brighter skies, beside purer streams, and amid gardens whose foliage and flowers will know no frost blight for evermore. Goodbye, brother, friend, companion, noble old warrior, till we strike hands again beyond the murky waters of the turbid river.
[by] G. C. RANKIN.
END
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